Reproduction apparatus

ABSTRACT

A reproduction apparatus includes a reproduction unit that reproduces plurality of information data encoded using mutually different encoding systems from a recording medium, a program storage unit that stores multiple kinds of decoding programs corresponding to the different encoding systems, a program loading memory into which a part of the plurality of kinds of decoding programs can be loaded; a decoding unit that decodes the reproduced information data using a decoding program loaded into the program loading memory, an instruction unit that instructs start of reproduction of the information data, and a control unit that selects a decoding program to be loaded into the program loading memory from among the multiple kinds of decoding programs stored in the program storage means in accordance with a predetermined rule, reads out the selected decoding program from the program storage means, and loads the read-out decoding program into the program loading memory, before the starts of reproduction is instructed by the instruction unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a reproduction apparatus, inparticular, processing for reproducing information data encoded usingmultiple different encoding systems.

2. Related Background Art

In recent years, more and more devices having a function of recordingand reproducing moving images and audio onto and from a memory card havebecome available.

For instance, although digital cameras formerly had only a function ofrecording and reproducing still images, many digital cameras also havinga function of recording and reproducing moving images and audio havecurrently been loaded.

Also, in the field of video cameras, apparatuses having a function ofrecording and reproducing moving image data onto and from not only atape medium but also a disk medium, such as a memory card, an opticaldisk, or a hard disk (HDD), have come into being. Further, video camerasthat record and reproduce image data and audio data onto and from amemory card or a disk medium instead of a tape medium have also comeinto being.

Ordinarily, when digital video image/audio data is recorded into amemory card or a disk medium in this manner, a data amount reduction isachieved through encoding of the data to be recorded.

Commonly used moving-image compression encoding system standards includestandards stipulated by Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG), such asMPEG2 and MPEG4, each of which also defines an audio-data encodingsystem. Also, there are various audio-data compression systems such asG.726, Advanced Multi Rate CODEC (AMR), and Advanced Audio Coding (AAC)recommended by International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

Generally, irreversible compression is performed in those compressionsystems and it is possible to achieve a data amount reduction throughencoding processing, but the image quality and audio quality of encodeddata are deteriorated from those of original data.

Also, generally, as data is compressed at a higher compression ratio,the image quality and audio quality of encoded data are lowered.However, the degree of the lowering of the image quality and audioquality also greatly depends on the performance of a compressionalgorithm itself and compression encoding systems with less degradationare currently under loadment and standardization.

As described above, currently, multiple kinds of encoding systems arewidely used, so a situation is conceivable in which moving image dataand audio data compression-encoded and recorded using multiple kinds ofencoding systems are coexistently recorded in one memory card or diskmedium.

Therefore, it is desired that it is possible to reproduce datacompressed using various kinds of encoding systems with one reproductionapparatus.

The amount of computation in decoding processing performed at the timeof reproduction of compressed moving image data is large, so a dedicatedhardware is used in many cases expect for an environment, such as apersonal computer, in which there exist sufficient resources such as aCPU and a memory.

On the other hand, the processing amount of expansion and decodingprocessing of compressed audio data is smaller than that of moving imagedata, so in the case of a built-in device whose hardware resources arelimited, the processing is achieved by software in many cases. When theprocessing is achieved by software, a compression program and anexpansion program are collectively referred to as a “codec” (COderDECoder).

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2001-202094, a reproductionapparatus is proposed which reproduces audio data encoded using multiplecompression encoding systems, where a codec is loaded into a work RAMfrom a codec storing memory or an external device on a network inaccordance with the encoding system of a file to be reproduced and thenis executed.

According to Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2001-202094, itbecomes possible to reproduce even a reproduction target encoded usingan encoding system, which requires a decoding program that is not storedin an internal memory of the apparatus, by loading the decoding programfrom the outside.

When doing so, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2001-202094,after audio data that should be reproduced is designated, a codecprogram corresponding to the encoding system of the audio data is loadedinto the RAM.

However, a long time is taken to load a decoding program into the RAM,which leads to a problem that it is impossible to start reproductionpromptly after issuance of a reproduction-start instruction by a user.

Also, generally, a built-in device is greatly limited in hardwareresources and it is impossible to concurrently load multiple decodingprograms into a RAM in many cases. In such a case, there arises anecessity to load decoding programs stored in a flash ROM into the RAM,which leads to a problem that it is impossible to start reproductionbefore the loading of the decoding programs into the RAM is completed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to solve the problems describedabove.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a reproductionapparatus that is capable of starting reproduction swiftly even wheninformation data compression-encoded using multiple kinds of compressionencoding systems is expanded by using multiple kinds of decodingprograms.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-describedproblems and achieve the objects. According to one aspect of the presentinvention, a reproduction apparatus including: reproduction means forreproducing a plurality of information data encoded using mutuallydifferent encoding systems from a recording medium; program storagemeans for storing a plurality of kinds of decoding programscorresponding to the different encoding systems; a program loadingmemory in which a part of the plurality of kinds of decoding programscan be loaded; decode means for decoding information data reproduced bythe reproduction means using a decoding program loaded into the programloading memory; instruction means for instructing start of reproductionof information data; and control means for, before reproduction start isinstructed by the instruction means, selecting a decoding program thatto be loaded into the program loading memory from among the plurality ofkinds of decoding programs stored in the program storage means inaccordance with a predetermined rule, reading out the selected decodingprogram from the program storage means, and loading the read-outdecoding program into the program loading memory.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following detailed description of embodiments of the presentinvention to be made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a construction diagram of a reproduction apparatus in a firstembodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a relation between reproduction data in a memory card and adecoding program loadment method in the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a construction of an operationunit in the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows an example of a reproduction order of data in the firstembodiment;

FIG. 5 is a construction diagram of reproduction apparatuses in second,third, and fifth embodiments;

FIG. 6 shows a decoding program loadment method in the secondembodiment;

FIG. 7 shows a decoding program loadment method in the third embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a construction diagram of a recording and reproductionapparatus in a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 9 shows a decoding program loadment method in the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing reproduction processing in the firstembodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing reproduction processing in the secondembodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing reproduction processing in the thirdembodiment;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing reproduction processing in the fourthembodiment; and

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing reproduction processing in the fifthembodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

As a first embodiment, a case will be described in which the presentinvention is applied to a reproduction apparatus that reproduces audiodata recorded in a memory card.

FIG. 1 shows a construction of a reproduction apparatus 100.

The reproduction apparatus 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU)101, an audio output unit 102, a flash ROM 103, an audio decodingprogram storing memory 104 a, a work memory 105, a memory cardcontroller 106, and an operation unit 108. Also, it is possible toattach and detach a memory card 107 to and from the reproductionapparatus 100 with ease by using a not-shown attaching and detachingmechanism.

Instructions such as reproduction and stop instructions are issued by auser using the operation unit 108 and are sent to the CPU 101. Inaddition, displaying for prompting the user to select a reproductiontarget and the like is also performed through the operation unit 108. Onthe memory card 107, audio data compression-encoded using various kindsof encoding systems are recorded. On receiving instructions from the CPU101, the memory card controller 106 performs reading and writing of dataonto the memory card 107. The flash ROM 103 stores decoding programscorresponding to the multiple kinds of encoding systems. The audiodecoding program storing memory 104 a stores a decoding program readfrom the flash ROM 103.

It should be noted here that in this embodiment, the flash ROM 103 usesa memory which is inexpensive and has a large capacity but whose datareading-out speed is relatively slow, and the audio decoding programstoring memory 104 a is a memory that is capable of reading and writingdata at high speed.

In order to reproduce data recorded on the memory card 107, it isrequired to read a decoding program corresponding to the encoding systemof audio data to be reproduced from the flash ROM 103 and load it intothe audio decoding program storing memory 104 a. The work memory 105 isa work area that temporarily stores data at the time of decoding ofaudio data.

The CPU 101 is constructed from a microcomputer, its associatedregister, and the like. In this embodiment, although audio data decodingprocessing is performed by the CPU 101 using a decoding computer programloaded into the memory 104 a, the processing may be achieved by aDigital Signal Processor (DSP). When the decoding processing isperformed by the DSP, the audio decoding program storing memory 104 acorresponds to an instruction memory and the work memory 105 correspondsto a data memory. Note that the audio decoding program storing memory104 a uses a relatively expensive memory and its capacity is limited forthe sake of cost reduction, so it is impossible to concurrently storeevery decoding program stored in the flash ROM 103 into the audiodecoding program storing memory 104 a.

FIG. 2 shows a state of audio data recorded in the memory card 107. Onthe memory card 107, multiple pieces of audio data encoded usingdifferent encoding systems are recorded.

Next, processing at the time of audio data reproduction from the memorycard 107, on which audio data has been recorded in the manner describedabove, will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing reproductionprocessing in this embodiment.

The flow in FIG. 10 is started in response to power-up or attaching of anew memory card 107.

First, after the power-up or the attaching of the new memory card 107and before start of reproduction is instructed through the operationunit 108, the CPU 101 instructs the memory card controller 106 to accessthe memory card 107 and checks the encoding systems of audio datarecorded on the memory card 107 (Step S1001).

Then, the CPU 101 specifies an encoding system, which is most frequentlyused to encode the files on the memory card 107, by using a result ofthe check, reads out an audio decoding program corresponding to theencoding system from the flash ROM 103, and stores it into the audiodecoding program storing memory 104 a (Step S1002).

In an example shown in FIG. 2, the number of audio data encoded usingthe G.726 system is the maximum, so a decoding program of G.726 isstored into the audio decoding program storing memory 104 a.

Following this, when the user instructs to start reproduction byoperating the operation unit 108 (Step S1003), it is judged whether theencoding system of data to be reproduced is the same as the encodingsystem corresponding to the decoding program stored in the audiodecoding program storing memory 104 a (Step S1005).

When the encoding system of the audio data to be reproduced is differentfrom the encoding system corresponding to the decoding program stored inthe memory 104 a, the CPU 101 reads out a decoding program correspondingto the encoding system of the audio data to be reproduced from the flashROM 103 and stores it into the audio decoding program storing memory 104a (Step S1006). Then, the audio data is reproduced from the memory card107 and is decoded using the decoding program stored in the memory 104 a(Step S1007). The decoded audio data is outputted to a speaker, aheadphone, or the like outside the apparatus through the audio outputunit 102.

On the other hand, when the encoding system of the audio data to bereproduced is the same as the encoding system corresponding to thedecoding program stored in the memory 104 a, the CPU 101 readilyreproduces the audio data to be reproduced from the memory card 107 anddecodes the reproduced audio data using the decoding program stored inthe memory 104 a.

Following this, when it is instructed to stop the reproduction or theaudio data to be reproduced has been reproduced to the end thereof, theprocessing is ended (Step S1008).

Next, an operation of the operation unit 108 at the time when the userinstructs to start reproduction will be described.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the operation unit 108. Theoperation unit 108 includes an audio data list display area 108 a and anoperation instruction area 108 b. In the audio data list display area108 a, a list of audio data recorded on the memory card 107 and aselection state of data to be reproduced are displayed. The operationinstruction area 108 b includes operation buttons for instructingvarious operations such as selection of data to be reproduced,start/stop of reproduction, and forwarding/backwarding, and the userissues instructions to the reproduction apparatus 100 by operating thebuttons.

When the reproduction apparatus 100 enters into a state in which it ispossible to instruct reproduction, the CPU 101 determines the displayorder of reproduction data in a list to be displayed for the user withreference to their encoding systems and displays the reproduction datain order in the audio data list display area 108 a so that files encodedusing the most frequently used encoding system are displayed first. Inthe case of the example shown in FIG. 2, the display order is determinedas shown in FIG. 4. With this construction, a probability that theencoding system of reproduction data selected by the user and theencoding system corresponding to a decoding program loaded in the audiodecoding program storing memory 104 a in advance will agree with eachother is increased and also files using the same encoding system arereproduced in succession, so it becomes possible to reduce the number ofoperations for reading decoding programs into the audio decoding programstoring memory 104 a. As a result, it becomes possible to reduce awaiting time due to reading of decoding program at the time ofreproduction.

As described above, in this embodiment, a decoding program correspondingto an encoding system most frequently used to encode files recoded onthe memory card 107 is stored into the audio decoding program storingmemory 104 a before it is instructed to start reproduction of audiodata. Therefore, it becomes possible to decrease a probability that itwill be required to load a decoding program from the flash ROM 103 atthe time of the start of the reproduction. As a result, it becomespossible to start the reproduction swiftly after it is instructed tostart the reproduction.

Next, a second embodiment will be described.

In the first embodiment, a case has been described in which the presentinvention is applied to an apparatus that reproduces audio data. In thisembodiment, however, a case will be described in which the presentinvention is applied to a reproduction apparatus that reproduces movingimage data containing audio.

FIG. 5 shows a construction of a reproduction apparatus 100 a in thisembodiment.

Each construction of the reproduction apparatus 100 a that is the sameas a construction shown in FIG. 1 is given the same reference symbol andonly each portion thereof that is different from portions of thereproduction apparatus in the first embodiment will be described below.

The reproduction apparatus 100 a includes a video image decoding unit110 and a video image output unit 111 in addition to the constructionsof the reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. 1. The video image decodingunit 110 is a circuit that decodes video image data encoded using aspecific encoding system and is constructed from hardware. The videoimage output unit 111 displays video images on a display apparatus inaccordance with the video image data decoded by the video image decodingunit 110.

Also, in this embodiment, encoded video images and audio data aremultiplexed and stored on the memory card 107 in accordance with aspecific file format. File formats that are currently widely usedinclude ASF (Advanced Streaming Format), MP4, and the like that supportmultiple video image/audio data encoding systems.

In this embodiment, video image data decoding processing is performed bythe video image decoding unit 110 constructed from hardware, so it ispossible to reproduce only video image data encoded using a specificencoding system.

On the other hand, audio data is decoded by software, so it is possibleto reproduce audio data encoded using multiple encoding systems. Inorder to reproduce audio data, it is required to load a decoding programcorresponding to the encoding system of the audio into the audiodecoding program storing memory 104 a.

The reproduction apparatus 100 a in this embodiment is capable ofreproducing audio data encoded using four kinds of encoding systems. Todo so, four kinds of decoding programs corresponding to the four kindsof encoding systems are stored in the flash ROM 103 (see FIG. 6).

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing reproduction processing in thisembodiment.

At the time of power-up or in response to attaching of the memory card107 to the reproduction apparatus 100 a, the flow in FIG. 11 is started.The CPU 101 reads out decoding programs stored in the flash ROM 103 inorder of program data size (data amount) thereof to store them into theaudio decoding program storing memory 104 a. Following this, whenstoring the decoding program into the memory 104 a becomes impossible,the reading out from the flash ROM 103 is stopped (Step S1101).

In the example shown in FIG. 6, a decoding program A and a decodingprogram D are stored into the audio decoding program storing memory 104a.

Following this, when a user instructs to start reproduction by operatingthe operation unit, 108 (Step S1102), it is judged whether the encodingsystem of data to be reproduced is the same as any of the encodingsystems corresponding to the decoding programs stored in the audiodecoding program storing memory 104 a (Step S1104).

When the encoding system of the audio data to be reproduced is differentfrom all of the encoding systems corresponding to the decoding programsstored in the memory 104 a, the CPU 101 reads out a decoding programcorresponding to the encoding system of the audio data to be reproducedfrom the flash ROM 103 and stores it into the audio decoding programstoring memory 104 a (Step S1105). Then, the audio data is reproducedfrom the memory card 107 and is decoded using the decoding programstored in the memory 104 a (Step S1106). The decoded audio data isoutputted to a speaker, a headphone, or the like outside the apparatusthrough the audio output unit 102.

On the other hand, when the encoding system of the audio data to bereproduced is the same as any of the encoding systems corresponding tothe decoding programs stored in the memory 104 a, the CPU 101 readilyreproduces the audio data to be reproduced from the memory card 107 anddecodes the reproduced audio data using one of the decoding programsstored in the memory 104 a.

Following this, when it is instructed to stop the reproduction or theaudio data to be reproduced has been reproduced to the end thereof, theprocessing is ended (Step S1107).

As described above, when a decoding program corresponding to theencoding system of audio data to be reproduced is not stored in theaudio decoding program storing memory 104 a, it is read from the flashROM 103 and is loaded into the audio decoding program storing memory 104a. However, decoding programs having large sizes are loaded in advance,so it becomes possible to shorten a decoding program load time.

As a result, it becomes possible to shorten a time lag between issuanceof a reproduction start instruction and start of reproduction.

Next, a third embodiment will be described. A reproduction apparatus inthis embodiment has basically the same construction as in the secondembodiment, that is, the construction shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing reproduction processing in thisembodiment and only each step that is different from the steps in thesecond embodiment will be described in the following explanation.

In this embodiment, in response to power-up or attaching of the memorycard 107, a portion of each of multiple kinds of decoding programsstored in the flash ROM 103 is read out and is stored into the audiodecoding program storing memory 104 a (Step S1201). A state of thisoperation is shown in FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, a portion of each of decodingprograms A to C is read out from the flash ROM 103 and is stored intothe memory 104 a.

Following this, a reproduction instruction is waited for (Step S1202).When reproduction is instructed, the encoding system of audio data to bereproduced is detected (Step S1203). Then, a portion of a decodingprogram corresponding to the encoding system of the audio data to bereproduced other than the portion thereof already stored in the memory104 a in Step S1201 is read out from the flash ROM 103 and is storedinto the memory 104 a (Step S1204). When doing so, when no availablespace exists in the memory 104 a, overwriting into a recording areaassigned to a program other than the target decoding program isperformed.

Then, the target audio data is reproduced from the memory card 107 andis decoded using the decoding program stored in the memory 104 a (StepS1205). Following this, until the reproduction is completed, theprocessing is continued (Step S1206).

As described above, in this embodiment, a portion of each of multiplekinds of decoding programs is stored into the decoding program storingmemory 104 a in advance prior to start of reproduction of audio data, soit becomes possible to shorten a time lag between issuance of areproduction start instruction and loadment of a decoding program in thememory. As a result, it becomes possible to start decoding of audio dataswiftly.

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 shows a constructionof a recording and reproduction apparatus 100 b to which the presentinvention is applied. Each construction that is the same as aconstruction shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 will be described using the samereference numeral. The recording and reproduction apparatus in thisembodiment has a function of recording moving images and audio data inaddition to the functions of the reproduction apparatuses shown in FIGS.1 and 5.

That is, the recording and reproduction apparatus 100 b includes a videoimage decode/encode unit 110, a video image input unit 112, and an audioinput unit 113 in addition to the constructions shown in FIG. 5. Also,in this embodiment, at the time of recording of audio data inputted fromthe audio input unit 113, the CPU 101 encodes the audio data using anaudio encoding program and records a result of the encoding in thememory card 107. At the time of the recording, encoding is performed inaccordance with only one kind of encoding system. Also, at the time ofreproduction of the audio data, the CPU 101 performs decoding using anaudio decoding program. Therefore, in the flash ROM 103, an audio codec,which includes an audio encoding program used at the time of therecording and an audio decoding program corresponding to the encodingsystem used at the time of the recording, and decoding programscorresponding to various kinds of audio encoding systems are stored.With this construction, at the time of recording or reproduction ofaudio data, the audio codec or audio decoding program stored in theflash ROM 103 is read out and is stored into an audio codec storingmemory 104 b.

On the other hand, the video image decode/encode unit 110 is a circuitthat performs video image data encoding and decoding processing and isconstructed from hardware. The video image input unit 112 and the audioinput unit 113 take in video images and audio respectively at the timeof moving image recording. At the time of the moving image recording,the video image data taken in by the video image input unit 112 isencoded by the video image decode/encode unit 110 and the audio datataken in by the audio input unit 113 is encoded by the CPU 101.

An encoding program necessary to encode audio data is read from theflash ROM 103 in advance prior to start of recording and is stored intothe audio codec storing memory 104 b. In this embodiment, at the time ofthe recording, both of the video image data and the audio data areencoded in accordance with one kind of encoding system. The encodedvideo image data and audio data are multiplexed by the CPU 101 inaccordance with a predetermined file format and are recorded onto thememory card 107 by the memory card controller 106.

Next, processing at the time of reproduction will be described. FIG. 13is a flowchart showing a reproduction operation in this embodiment.

When a mode switch of the operation unit 108 is operated and areproduction mode is set, the CPU 101 reads out an audio codec from theflash ROM 103 prior to issuance of a reproduction instruction and storesit into the audio codec storing memory 104 b.

When doing so, the CPU 101 selects a decoding program for decoding datain an audio encoding system used at the time of recording, from amongthe audio decoding programs stored in the flash ROM 103, reads out theselected decoding program, and stores the read-out decoding program intothe memory 104 b (Step S1301).

Following this, when a user instructs to start reproduction by operatingthe operation unit 108 (Step S1302), it is judged whether the encodingsystem of the audio data to be reproduced is the same as the encodingsystem corresponding to the decoding program stored in the audio codecstoring memory 104 b (Step S1304).

When the encoding system of the audio data to be reproduced is differentfrom the encoding system corresponding to the decoding program stored inthe memory 104 b, the CPU 101 reads a decoding program corresponding tothe encoding system of the audio data to be reproduced from the flashROM 103 and stores it into the audio codec storing memory 104 b (StepS1305). Then, the audio data is reproduced from the memory card 107 andis decoded using the decoding program stored in the memory 104 b (StepS1306).

On the other hand, when the encoding system of the audio data to bereproduced is the same as the encoding system corresponding to thedecoding program stored in the memory 104 b, the CPU 101 readilyreproduces the audio data to be reproduced from the memory card 107 anddecodes the reproduced audio data using the decoding program stored inthe memory 104 b.

Following this, when it is instructed to stop the reproduction or theaudio data to be reproduced has been reproduced to the end thereof, theprocessing is ended (Step S1307).

It is considered that audio data recorded on the memory card isreproduced using the recording and reproduction apparatus 100 b in thisembodiment in many cases. Therefore, in this embodiment, a decodingprogram corresponding to an encoding system used at the time ofrecording is read out from the flash ROM 103 and is stored into thememory 104 b in advance prior to start of reproduction, which makes itpossible to decrease a probability that it will be required to read outa decoding program from the flash ROM after it is instructed to startthe reproduction.

Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. A construction of areproduction apparatus in this embodiment is the same as that shown inFIG. 5. Hereinafter, reproduction processing in this embodiment will bedescribed. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the reproduction processing inthis embodiment.

In this embodiment, the CPU 101 records the kinds of audio decodingprograms used at a predetermined number of previous audio datareproduction, on the memory card 107 as history information.

Then, in response to power-up or attaching of a new memory card 107, theCPU 101 reads out the history information recorded on the memory card107 through the memory card controller 105 (Step S1401), reads out themost frequently used audio decoding program from the flash ROM 103, andstores it into the audio decoding program storing memory 104 a (StepS1402). A concrete example is shown in FIG. 9.

Following this, when a user instructs to start reproduction by operatingthe operation unit 108 (Step S1403), it is judged whether the encodingsystem of audio data to be reproduced is the same as the encoding systemcorresponding to the decoding program stored in the audio decodingprogram storing memory 104 a (Step S1405).

When the encoding system of the audio data to be reproduced is differentfrom the encoding system corresponding to the decoding program stored inthe memory 104 a, the CPU 101 reads a decoding program corresponding tothe encoding system of the audio data to be reproduced from the flashROM 103 and stores it into the audio decoding program storing memory 104a (Step S1406). Then, the audio data is reproduced from the memory card107 and is decoded using the decoding program stored in the memory 104 ain Step S1406 (Step S1407). The decoded audio data is outputted to aspeaker, a headphone, or the like outside the apparatus through theaudio output unit 102.

On the other hand, when the encoding system of the audio data to bereproduced is the same as the encoding system corresponding to thedecoding program stored in the memory 104 a, the CPU 101 readilyreproduces the audio data to be reproduced from the memory card 107 anddecodes the reproduced audio data using the decoding program stored inthe memory 104 a.

Following this, when it is instructed to stop the reproduction or theaudio data to be reproduced has been reproduced to the end thereof, theprocessing is ended (Step S1408). Then, the history information isupdated based on information about the decoding program used this timeand the updated history information is recorded in the memory card 107(Step S1409).

As described above, in this embodiment, the most frequently useddecoding program is read out in advance based on history informationshowing decoding programs used at the time of previous reproduction ofaudio data recorded in the memory card, so it becomes possible todecrease a probability that it will be required to read out a decodingprogram from the flash ROM after it is instructed to start reproduction.

It should be noted here that in this embodiment, although the historyinformation is recorded in the memory card 107, it is not necessarilyrequired to record the history information in the memory card and astorage means in the apparatus may be used instead.

Also, in each embodiment described above, although an apparatus thatrecords and/or reproduces video images and/or audio data on and/or froma memory card has been described, the present invention is not limitedto this and is also applicable to an apparatus that records and/orreproduces data on and/or from another recording medium such as anoptical disk.

Further, although each embodiment described above relates to decoding ofaudio data, the present invention is also applicable to decoding ofmoving image data, still image data, or the like in a like manner.

The object of the present invention can also be achieved by providing astorage medium storing program codes for performing the aforesaidprocesses to an image sensing system or apparatus, reading the programcodes, by a CPU or MPU of the image sensing system or apparatus, fromthe storage medium, then executing the program.

In this case, the program codes read from the storage medium realize thefunctions according to the embodiments, and the storage medium storingthe program codes constitutes the invention.

Further, the storage medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, anoptical disk, a magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, a magnetic tape, anon-volatile type memory card, and ROM, and computer network, such asLAN (local area network) and WAN (wide area network), can be used forproviding the program codes.

Furthermore, besides aforesaid functions according to the aboveembodiments are realized by executing the program codes which are readby a CPU of the image sensing system or apparatus, the present inventionincludes a case where an OS (operating system) or the like working onthe computer performs a part or entire processes in accordance withdesignations of the program codes and realizes functions according tothe above embodiments.

Furthermore, the present invention also includes a case where, after theprogram codes read from the storage medium are written in a functionexpansion card which is inserted into the image sensing system orapparatus or in a memory provided in a function expansion unit which isconnected to the image sensing system or apparatus, CPU or the likecontained in the function expansion card or unit performs a part orentire process in accordance with designations of the program codes andrealizes functions of the above embodiments.

In a case where the present invention is applied to the aforesaidstorage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding tothe flowchart of FIGS. 10 to 14 described in the embodiments.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments andvarious changes and modifications can be made within the spirit andscope of the present invention. Therefore to apprise the public of thescope of the present invention, the following claims are made.

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No.2004-188249 filed Jun. 25, 2004, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein.

1.-10. (canceled)
 11. A reproduction apparatus comprising: reproductionmeans for reproducing a plurality of information data encoded usingmutually different encoding systems from a recording medium; programstorage means for storing a plurality of kinds of decoding programscorresponding to the different encoding systems; a program loadingmemory into which a part of the plurality of kinds of decoding programscan be loaded; decode means for decoding information data reproduced bysaid reproduction means using a decoding program loaded into saidprogram loading memory; instruction means for instructing start ofreproduction of the information data; and control means for, beforereproduction start is instructed by said instruction means, selecting adecoding program corresponding to an encoding system most frequentlyused to encode the plurality of information data recorded on therecording medium from among the plurality of kinds of decoding programsstored in said program storage means, reading out the selected decodingprogram from said program storage means, and loading the read-outdecoding program into said program loading memory.
 12. A reproductionapparatus according to claim 11, wherein in response to power-up, saidcontrol means selects a decoding program to be loaded into said programloading memory, reads out the selected decoding program from saidprogram storage means, and loads the read-out decoding program into saidprogram loading memory.
 13. A reproduction apparatus according to claim11, wherein in response to attaching of a new recording medium, saidcontrol means selects a decoding program to be loaded into said programloading memory, reads out the selected decoding program from saidprogram storage means, and loads the read-out decoding program into saidprogram loading memory.
 14. A reproduction apparatus according to claim11, wherein said control means detects an encoding system of informationdata, the reproduction of which is instructed to be started by saidinstruction means, wherein when a decoding program corresponding to theencoding system of the information data, the reproduction of which isinstructed to be started, is different from the decoding program loadedinto said program loading memory before start of the reproduction isinstructed, said control means reads out the decoding programcorresponding to the encoding system of the information data, thereproduction of which is instructed to be started, from said programstorage means and loads the read-out decoding program into said programloading memory.
 15. A reproduction apparatus according to claim 11,further comprising display means for displaying a list of the pluralityof information data recorded on the recording medium in an ordercorresponding to the encoding system, wherein said instruction meansselects a desired information data to be reproduced from the pluralityof information data displayed in the list and instructs start ofreproduction of the selected information data.
 16. A reproductionapparatus comprising: reproduction means for reproducing a plurality ofinformation data encoded using mutually different encoding systems froma recording medium; program storage means for storing a plurality ofkinds of decoding programs corresponding to the different encodingsystems; a program loading memory into which a part of the plurality ofkinds of decoding programs can be loaded; decode means for decodinginformation data reproduced by said reproduction means using a decodingprogram loaded into said program loading memory; instruction means forinstructing start of reproduction of the information data; detectingmeans for detecting decoding programs used at a time of previousreproduction of the plurality of information data recorded on therecording medium; and control means for, before reproduction start isinstructed by said instruction means, selecting a most frequently useddecoding program from among the plurality of kinds of decoding programsstored in said program storage means based on a detection result of saiddetecting means, reading out the selected decoding program from saidprogram storage means, and loading the read-out decoding program intosaid program loading memory.
 17. A reproduction apparatus according toclaim 16, wherein in response to power-up, said control means selects adecoding program to be loaded into said program loading memory, readsout the selected decoding program from said program storage means, andloads the read-out decoding program into said program loading memory.18. A reproduction apparatus according to claim 16, wherein in responseto attaching of a new recording medium, said control means selects adecoding program to be loaded into said program loading memory, readsout the selected decoding program from said program storage means, andloads the read-out decoding program into said program loading memory.19. A reproduction apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said controlmeans detects an encoding system of information data, the reproductionof which is instructed to be started by said instruction means, whereinwhen a decoding program corresponding to the encoding system of theinformation data, the reproduction of which is instructed to be started,is different from the decoding program loaded into said program loadingmemory before start of the reproduction is instructed, said controlmeans reads out the decoding program corresponding to the encodingsystem of the information data, the reproduction of which is instructedto be started, from said program storage means and loads the read-outdecoding program into said program loading memory.
 20. A reproductionapparatus comprising: reproduction means for reproducing a plurality ofinformation data encoded using mutually different encoding systems andrecorded on a recording medium; program storage means for storing aplurality of kinds of decoding programs corresponding to the differentencoding systems; a program loading memory into which a part of theplurality of kinds of decoding programs can be loaded; decode means fordecoding information data reproduced by said reproduction means, using adecoding program loaded into said program loading memory; instructionmeans for instructing start of reproduction of the information data; andcontrol means for, before reproduction start is instructed by saidinstruction means, reading out a portion of each of the plurality ofkinds of decoding programs stored in said program storage means andloading the read-out portion into said program loading memory.
 21. Areproduction apparatus according to claim 20, wherein when start ofreproduction is instructed by said instruction means, said control meansdetects an encoding system of information data, the reproduction ofwhich is instructed to be started, reads out from said program storagemeans a portion of a decoding program corresponding to the encodingsystem of the information data, the reproduction of which is instructedto be started, other than the portion thereof loaded into said programloading memory before start of the reproduction is instructed, and loadsthe portion read out from said program storage means into said programloading memory.